THANKS for our Alabama Zellners

 

The day after Thanksgiving we were given a very special treat as our Alabama Zellners came up to share the weekend with us and to meet Miss Aubrey. I have to say, she is one lucky little lady. From the moment we opened the door, Ryan (Ray's brother) was on a mission to be the first one to hold and touch that sweet baby. And talk about love...

 

It was so fun seeing my brother-in-law and sister-in-law plus the nieces and nephew just love all over our little girl. I mean seriously, she's a keeper for sure. 

 

{Tassie, Jake, and Kendall}

As each family member had a turn holding and cuddling with the baby, we enjoyed showing off the house and caching up... as well as taking a few silly pictures. I do love my nephew, Jake and niece, Olivia. Talk about adorable as always but goodness they are getting so big.



{Jake-11, Me-29, Olivia-6}

That night we dined at Buca di Beppo, a Zellner household favorite. We enjoyed family style portions of fettuccini alfredo and prosciutto stuffed chicken with warm garlic bread. Talk about happy faces and full tummies.



{Uncle Ray with Jake and Olivia}



When we returned, it was time to enjoy a pj party and a movie. Well we sure had the PJ part down just right but couldn't decide on a Christmas movie of choice as they all sounded pretty great, so instead we left the tv on Cool Runnings, and spent our night catching up. It was surely much more fun. Man I love this picture but talk about feeling old. This body doesn't lay too well on the hard floor.

The next morning we enjoyed a lazy Saturday. Uncle Ray and his sous chef, Jake, made delicious biscuits and gravy, fruit, and morning mosas for the adults. After we ate, we sat around in preparation for the Iron Bowl and Aggie games. Who knew that our alphabet letter foam boards for the floor would be such a hit? Olivia loved using them to spell and the boys of course built a human held box container to scare poor Olivia. This definitely gave hours of entertainment... even for Uncle Ray!



 

 {ABC is easy as 123}

We then decided that us ladies would enjoy an afternoon dessert date while the men stayed home to watch Auburn take on Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Before we left, I had to get a picture of the boys as Auburn scored. Now of course I wish I had caught it in action, but I'll settle for a reenactment of the previous touchdown.



So of course while the men were away... the ladies did play. We made our way to BJ's for some delicious dessert options.  It was fun chatting it up with the girls. So glad I had this special time with my sister and nieces.

After an amazing Auburn Victory, our chefs made a homemade Mexican food dinner including Texas style queso and we enjoyed our last night with our fam. It as always is so special to spend time with them. Living 12 hours and several states away makes it difficult when apart, but always so special when we are able to get together for a visit. To our sweet family, Thank you for your visit. We are so very blessed by your visit and are truly THANKFUL for the memories made this weekend. We can't wait for another very soon. 

A GREAT weekend in the Hill Country

 

 

This weekend was full of unforgettable, melt your heart moments. From a weekend of anniversary celebration, 5 week (almost 6 week) adventures in parenthood, and also an amazing family trip to the hill country, it sure was a perfect getaway. One of my favorite moments was this sweet melt your heart moment with my great Aunt Alice holding her sweet great great niece. Talk about love!

 

Before Aubrey made her debut, Oma and I had planned a sweet trip to the hill country to visit my great aunt. I couldn't wait to share our little lady with her. This woman sure holds a special place in my heart and I couldn't imagine a more perfect meeting. When looking at our calendar, this weekend was one of a select few available to travel. We knew we would be making the trip with a 5 (almost six) week old as well as celebrating on our fourth anniversary weekend. As a gift, my parents booked us a stay at a sweet little cottage on the river near by. Thanks again for a great gift.

 

To my beautiful family of three (and two furbabes), I couldn't imagine anything better. I am so thankful for this journey that God has given us. I'm thankful for the paths, the twists, the turns, the endless prayers for this little girl, and it brings me to tears. (of joy of course:) From a high school romance, college, our journey to Dallas, marriage, home ownership, and now our adventures in parenthood... it has been a true blessing. I sure want to soak up the sweet moments.

 



 

Days before our trip, I began making a list of items we would need to pack. Traveling with a 5 week old is much more of a difficult task than just the two. As a new mama, I didn't want to forget anything. So once again, for our two day excursion, I probably packed for a week. From pack n play bassinets, play mats, toys, clothes, food, diapers, wipes... the list goes on and on. When the Saturday morning came, we packed the car, took the dogs to doggy daycare, I got up the little lady, dressed, changed, bottles made, picked up breakfast, and made our way to Wimberley. Aubrey did such a good job on her first road trip. For the first hour she was wide awake and full of smiles. I couldn't believe the drive didn't put her to sleep. After we left Dallas, she quickly fell asleep. We did make a stop on the way up but then she was quickly out.

It was a little after 2:00 when we made our arrival. Oma and Opa were over joyed to see the little lady as was Alice. We spent the afternoon catching up, watching the birds, feeding the deer, and of course loving on Miss Aubrey. I sure do love watching my parents with her. They cannot get enough.

Opa and his little lady

 

After dinner, it was time to head to the cottage. Aubrey was a bit fussy. Growth spurt? Once we made our way to the cottage, we unpacked and put the little one to bed. It was great to have a few extra hours just to relax with my husband. The greatest gift came when she gave us another 7 hour stretch of sleep. I know that our days are probably limited and she may go back to her waking every hour or two, but for now, I will take it. The next morning, we got up and made breakfast. Or should I say attempted to make breakfast. Sadly the stove was a bit hotter than I had expected which kind of turned our savory breakfast into a bit of a burnt one. It was the thought that counts right?!? That morning we did enjoy some morning mosas and some sweet pictures on the patio, porch swing, and river. It was such a relaxed morning. I really do love the country.

After our morning together as a family of three, we went back to my Great Aunt's house for some family fun and photography.

 Could this face get any sweeter? Love her!

 

Four generations of woman and my amazing family. I have to say that these are some of the most special pictures I have. I am so thankful we had an opportunity to visit with my Great Aunt Alice and for her to see her great great niece, to spend time with Oma and Opa, and to enjoy some special family time in the hill country. It surely was a GREAT Weekend!

Aubrey's Aunties!

 

This weekend we had some very special visitors. Ray's two sisters drove up from Houston to cuddle and love on Miss Aubrey. It was so fun to watch the girls with her. Aubrey is absolutely so incredibly loved by her aunts. This weekend was pretty perfect. We enjoyed some relaxed time at the house, a delicious breakfast, morning mosas (my first since pregnancy:), an Aunt photo session, a movie night, and of course lots of special bonding time with the little lady. Here are some pictures of our time together. 

 

 Morning Mosas with the hubs and sisters

Cheers with Aunt Rachel

 Chef Ray serving an after breakfast coffee 

 Aunt Rachel enjoys special time with the little lady

 Aunt Becky and baby Aubrey 

 

 

 An Aunt Photo Session

 Tummy Time with Mr. Tuppins

Looking at Aunt Becky

I couldn't be more thankful for these two beautiful women in our lives. They are such wonderful aunts and will be such great and positive role models for our little girl. She is truly blessed to have them both.

 

 

What a wonderful weekend! I sure look forward to the next time with Aubrey's Aunts!

Bloggable Updates: July & August Edition

The past two months have come and gone more quickly than I could have imagined. I have shared in so many wonderful moments, but sadly have been a little behind on writing about them. So here is my attempt to give a preview of the last two months until I can get around to writing about all the fun we've had.

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1. Two of my besties, Stephanie and Kristin, threw me a baby shower to celebrate Miss Aubrey. It was amazingly adorable. The theme was... Look Whooooo's Having a Baby!

{Stephanie, Paige, me, Kristin}

{Adorable décor and delicious treats}

... 

2. My mom and aunt came to attend my Dallas shower. We enjoyed a weekend filled with celebration, crafts, and met my cousin and his girlfriend for a fun family dinner at BJ's. 



 
{Aunt Erlene, me, and Oma}

{Jennifer and I}

 

{Nursery family photo fun}

 ...

3. Ray and I attended our church's leadership meeting and themed dinner. Fun photo opt with our ABF friends.

 

{Chase, Denise, Colin, Amy, Ray, and I} 

 ...

4. August 19th marked the first day for the teacher's to return to school. My school sure knows how to ROCK! Meet our first grade team, The Beach Girls! 

{The First Grade Beach Girls}

 ...

5. My Ultimate Frisbee Champion! Gray took on blue in the ultimate final this season, and came home victorious!

{My Ultimate Champion}
...

6. Friday, August 23rd, the parents and students enjoyed a Sneek-a-Peek! It was a great time to meet my new kiddos for this year. I'm truly excited for this year and all the fun we will have in first grade!

 

 {Welcome to Mrs. Zellner's Classroom}